First Ascent Coffee Review

After hearing about First Ascent Instant Coffee blasting into space to quench the thirst of decaffeinated astronauts aboard the International Space Station, I was super excited to try their instant coffee. It isn’t widely available, so I felt lucky when First Ascent Coffee sent me a sample pack to review. I love coffee and adventure and space, so it was a thrill to be able to try the same coffee that the astronauts drink.

First Ascent Instant Coffee is made from 100% Arabica beans that are roasted and then freeze-dried under that same roof in Crested Butte, Colorado. The quick handling helps preserve the flavor and aroma. The upshot is that whether you’re out on a long paddling trip or camping in the front country, you can enjoy a good cup of Joe anytime. All you have to do is add hot water and stir.

Without further ado, here are my impressions First Ascent’s different roasts and blends.

Guatemala Handcrafted Light Roast

I like darker roasts, so light roasts aren’t up my alley. But the Guatemala Handcrafted Light Roast has a nice light taste. There are notes of chocolate and something else dryish that I can’t put my finger on. It’s sweet and has an acidic but rounded aftertaste/feel in the mouth. It’s not for me but I can imagine that if you’re into sweet, light coffee then this would be for you.

Ethiopia Handcrafted Light Roast

This is well-rounded instant coffee tastes like what you’d expect from a light roast ordered from the corner coffee shop. There’s a bit of fruitiness to it with a slight bright but controlled finish. While I’m not into light roasts, if I had to pick between the Guatemala Handcrafted Light Roast and the Ethiopia Handcrafted Light Roast, I’d select the latter. I expect that most lovers of light roasts would find this instant coffee to their liking.

Hero Day Handcrafted Medium Roast

The Hero Day Handcrafted Medium Roast was right up my alley. It has a dark roasted flavor that doesn’t overpower the coffee flavor. There’s a bit of chocolate flavor and a little nuttiness. It feels solid in the mouth and doesn’t have that bright sharp aftertaste that some lighter roasts have. This is a daily drinker — seriously, I’d be happy to drink this daily instead of the Boundary Waters Coffee Espresso Roast that I usually make using an Aeropress.

Dawn Patrol Handcrafted Dark Roast

Out of all the roasts, I loved the Dawn Patrol Handcrafted Dark Road the best. It has a deep roasted, but not burnt flavor with a touch of chocolate to it. It tastes satisfyingly dark. While I usually make my coffee at 180°F, I found that this dark roast tastes better with a slightly lower temp. It’s a hard choice between Hero Day and Dawn Patrol for me. If I had to pick one, I’d pick Dawn Patrol.

Luckily, you don’t have to pick just one flavor. You can buy multiple flavors and mix it up. Right now, you’ll need to buy direct. It isn’t widely available elsewhere. So, stock up for your summer canoe and kayak trip needs.